The invention of air conditioning unit is a miracle. Imagine suffering in hot summer season where the only thing you have is a fan. Cool air is such a relief. Not only that too much heat can cause us a lot of health factors, it can also make us less motivated to work because every action we take there comes sweat.

After many months or years of using an AC unit, there’s a big possibility that it will start to fail. It has a long life expectancy but if you don’t take care of it well, it will malfunction and die entirely. Before you use your unit to cool your place, make sure that you’re giving it a regular check-up. Follow the tips below, because if you do, you will save more on your bills and unexpected repair costs.

Change the Filters

Air conditioning units should have their filters changed at once in a while, at least every few months. Old filters with everyday dirt and dust can slow down the functionality of the unit; the cool air is not entirely diminished. If you have a window AC unit, you can wash the filter at least once or twice per 2 weeks. To do this, pop out the unit’s front grill using a putty knife. Remove the filter and wash it together with the grill. Use soapy and warm water so you can remove the mold build-up.

Clear the Vents

You can also give those vents a regular dusting several times per year. If you don’t know how, or if you don’t have a time, you can always call a professional to do it for you. This is an important part of your maintenance.

Check Freon Levels

Checking your Ac unit for a Freon leak is also important and should be a part of your maintenance plan. If you have an older model, the more reason that you should do this. In ideal conditions, the AC won’t consume Freon coolant so you don’t have to change it or fill another batch in. You can hire a technician to do the check-up for you.

Clean the Coils

Evaporator coils can be found under the filter, so when you’re cleaning the filter give these coils some cleaning too. If you want to keep your unit on its optimum performance, use a brush attachment to vacuum the coils thoroughly. Clean the condenser coils too, you can find it at the back of the unit. When the unit is working, extra debris gets in the way of air flow, so it’s better you clean all those debris off so the unit can perform well.

Check Wiring and Components

Before you do some check-up and regular maintenance on your AC, start by turning off the power. You can do this by turning off the main breaker panel. Remove the condensing unit’s access panel to check for any signs of overheating. Look for burned-looking wires, blackened wires or melted insulation on the wires. Check any electrical connections to see if they’re loose or still tight. You can check the unit’s capacitors using an electrical test meter.

Check the contactor switch too. If you don’t have any knowledge about the things mentioned here, or you’re not comfortable replacing any part, call an AC unit expert to do the job for you. It’s better that someone expert will take care of it.

Examine Thermostat

One of the reasons why an AC unit might not be producing the cool air it’s supposed to is because the thermostat is malfunctioning. Check your thermostat to see if it keeps your home at the temperature you set. Mechanical thermostat is difficult to keep up with, so better upgrade to programmable model.

Programmable models will let you set the temperature higher when everyone leaves then cool it again 30 minutes everyone arrives. You don’t have to turn off the AC, you can save more on the energy too.

Clean Outside Unit

We’re so fixated with the inner components of the unit; we shouldn’t forget the outside unit too. Over time, every day dust and dirt will build up outside the unit too. It will decrease the capacity of the unit and decrease the airflow.

Shut the power off then wash the debris using a garden hose, start at the top, and put the hose at a 45 degree angle. Never use a power washer because it can damage the coil’s delicate fins.

When you live in a tropical area, air conditioners are saviors especially during summer days where the heat is at its optimum level. The air conditioning unit cools down the entire room where it’s put, and it’s an amazing experience until it produces warmer air. Many homeowners complain about this and they don’t know what the problem is or where to look at.

The problem with us is that we don’t call until the entire unit stops working. However, there are

tell- tale signs of a damaged AC, and usually the reason lies in its AC compressor. Watch out for these signs and then contact the best AC installers in town so it’s going to be fixed before the issues become worse.

Not all signs are the same or noticeable at first, so you really have to pay attention once you notice something wrong. The AC compressor is part of the unit that transforms refrigerant chemicals to gas, the cycle continuous until you get the cool air you’re enjoying.

Ticking or Chattering Noise

For those who have furnaces on their homes, one of the signs it’s malfunctioning is the bang noise, sometimes popping or rumbling noises. This is also the same with our air conditioning systems, once it starts to get noisy it’s already projecting signs of trouble. It means it has problems especially in the compressor. Notice if the unit produces sound once you first turn it on during the day. Do you hear rattling or chattering noises? If your answer is yes, then it must have problems with the electric relay switch. The switch that starts your unit’s compressor might be wearing out. Call a professional to have it checked.

Rumbling or Clicking Noises

This is similar to the noises you’re hearing from the symptom number 1. When you start the unit and you hear some clicking sounds, it means that the compressor motor mounts is malfunctioning. The motor that distributes the cool air from the compressor is loose. When this happens, it’s already thrashing around the sealed area. So if you don’t know how to deal with loose motors, you better call a professional to do it. It needs proper training to be able to fix loose motors.

Moisture Leaks

Another sign of malfunctioning AC unit is the presence of moisture or puddle around the system. It means that you have a refrigerant leak out of the compressor. Be wary of this symptom because it can pose health risks for your family. If you notice this symptom and when your family members are coughing or experiencing eye irritation, you need to have the unit checked. If you leave it be, the unit might stop working because it runs out of refrigerant chemical to generate the cool air it produces.

Diminished Airflow

This symptom is one of the signs that are difficult to spot, and most neglected of all. You can tell that the compressor is already failing or weakening when there is a diminished air flow from the vents of the AC unit. The cold air that your unit is producing is generated by the compressor. So obviously; when the compressor is in trouble, it won’t be able to generate cool air as much as it’s supposed to. The result is; less air would be coming out of the vents. If you have been experiencing this, you better call a professional to fix the compressor.

Warmer Air

Most of the AC units produce less air when their AC compressors are failing; however there are other units who experience different things. They still produce the same amount of air, but that air is no longer cool. It’s warmer, and you will easily notice this especially during really hot days when you expect the unit to cool the room. The unit is acting like a fan instead of an air conditioning unit.

When you experience warmer air from the unit, it doesn’t mean that it’s low on refrigerant. It could mean something else, and calling a professional will help you solve it. A failing AC unit is not something you can DFY, unless you’re a skilled AC contractor who knows his way around the units. We mentioned the symptoms of a failing compressor, so if you experience one or two or even more, you better act quick or you’re going to lose your unit. It would really cost you more if you’re going to buy a new one when you could have saved the current unit you have.

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